Shocked: Rachel Blumberg* - Drums
Thinking: Jenny Conlee - Hammond Organ, Keyboards
Reading: Colin Meloy - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Kissing: Nate Query - Upright Bass, 'Cello
Kissed: Chris Funk - Electric Guitar and other strings
*Recently replaced by John Moen
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The Songs
1. "The Crane Wife 3" – 4:18
2. "The Island": – 12:26
i. "Come and See"
ii. "The Landlord's Daughter"
iii. "You'll Not Feel the Drowning"
3. Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)" – 4:18
4. "O Valencia!" – 3:47
5. "The Perfect Crime #2" – 5:33
6. "When the War Came" – 5:06
7. "Shankill Butchers" – 4:39
8. "Summersong" – 3:31
9. "The Crane Wife 1 & 2" – 11:19
10. "Sons & Daughters" – 5:13
Perhaps the thing which stands out most about this album, is its clear sense of direction. Previous Decemberist albums have been a bit erratic, with stories of infanta's, jonahesque sailors and suicidal lovers all mixed together. In contrast, the narrative of the Crane Wife keeps it focused, though still allows the characteristic divertions in the other songs. But that's enough of the typical reviewing rambling, let's get on to the tracks themselves.
The Crane Wife: Part 3
As I mentioned, this is the real story behind the album. Essentially, it chronicles the Japanese folk tale of the Crane Wife - this is the part in which the farmer sees her at her loom (but she is a Crane, and plucks her feathers to spin the silk!), and loses her forever (remember: this is a prequel to track 9, so please bear with me).
And under the boughs unbowed,
All clothed in a snowy shroud,
She had no heart so hardened,
All under the boughs unbowed.
The Island
Part I: Come and See
To me, this is one of the best songs they've done. It is the first part of a song-cycle about a lost island "Hidden in the sound [...] No boot-mark here nor fingerprint". As always, Meloy's lyrics are excellent; the arrangement and melodies fantastic.
Part 2: The Landlords Daughter
The (implied) rape of the Landlords Daughter, continuing the theme of the Island.
Part 3: You'll Not Feel the Drowning
Ending the cycle in Decemberist style: with death and drowning.
Yankee Bayonet
In many respects this is my favourite track on the album. Slightly remniscent of Liberty! by Mark o' Connor (in sound), it speaks the story of a dead soldier, and his lover. Again, top lyrical form:
Girl: When I was a girl how the hills of Oconee
Made a seam to hem me in
[...]
Soldier: But O' did you see all the dead of Manassas
All the bellies and the bones and the bile?
Girl: No, I lingered here with the blankets barren
And my own belly big with child
O' Valencia!
To be honest with you, this is a bit of a single. But it's a good one, and better than the endlessly repetitive "16 Military Wives" (n.b. this is actually quite amusing, if listened to with the music video).
The Perfect Crime #2
The first thing you'll hear is the great starting riff. Then you hear the vocals, which compliment it perfectly. Or vice versa. Its really very difficult not to like this one.
When the War Came
I would be lying if I said this was quite to their usual standard. But the lyrics have their funny moments, and it has quite a powerful guitar bit.
Shankill Butchers
You're probably all aware of the Shankill Butchers, but if you're not, there's the link. This is really a sort of "bogeyman" song about them. Of mothers telling their children stories, to frighten them into vegtables. Into eating them, that is.
Summersong
Anything I say, about this wonderfully melodic track, couldn't really be adequate. It's that good. Seriously, it is. Have a listen to it, if you don't believe me.
The Crane Wife: Part 1
Wherein the farmer takes the wounded crane in, and, after nursing it, let's it go....
The Crane Wife: Part 2
And not long after, a beautiful woman arrives at his door. They marry, but fall on hard times. But a solution - the woman offers to spin fine silk, on condition that he does not watch her doing so....
Sons and Daughters
A sea shanty, of settlers sailing to the states - drawing on the idealistic dreams of America (in a slightly anachronistic way)....
We'll make our homes on the water,
We'll build our walls of aluminum,
We'll fill our mouths with cinnamon
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So, there are the songs. But I think it would be remiss to conclude without touching, if briefly, on the artwork....
The cover and slip-art (of which there is a lot) consists entirely of little pencilled drawings. They are extremely idiosyncratic, and perfectly compliment the eccentricity you might expect from the Decemberists. Incidentally, they're drawn by Carson Ellis - who is also Colin Meloy's partner (she's a lady, in case you're wondering).
Here's a little example:
I'd highly recommend visiting her site, too, which some great artwork: http://www.carsonellis.com/
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To end my long review, I'll give you a link which you might want to view, before buying it ( 
).
http://www.decemberists.com/
Look in the jukebox section, and listen to Summersong. You could pay a visit to their myspace, too - but be warned, the tracks on there are not their best (except "We Both Go Down Together").
Right - that took a long time. Hopefully this will persuade at least someone to buy this album - as you really wouldn't regret it. 
P.S. If you're interested in finding out more about the Decemberists, I've done another review of their previous album, here: The Decemberists - Picaresque
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
Originally Posted by Jom
